Auqib Nabi breaks silence on slow bowling speeds, admits ODI selection shock

Auqib Nabi backs his bowling skills amid questions over pace in India’s ODI team

India fast bowler Auqib Nabi has responded to scrutiny over his bowling speed, saying that while extra pace can be an advantage, it is not the only way to succeed at international level. As he works to establish himself in the ODI side, the Jammu and Kashmir pacer intends to rely on the skills and methods that earned him his first national call-up.

Nabi’s start to international cricket has been challenging. A difficult debut against the West Indies brought immediate pressure, while his subsequent outings against New Zealand have offered an early opportunity to show what he can do. He has claimed his first international wickets, but consistency will be the key as he tries to turn domestic promise into a regular place in India’s pace attack.

A demanding start to Nabi’s international career

Nabi earned his maiden ODI call-up in September 2026 after producing strong performances in domestic cricket, particularly for Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy. His rise through the domestic game made him one of the fast bowlers in contention for an India opportunity, and he made his ODI debut against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30.

The occasion proved difficult. Nabi conceded 84 runs in 8.5 overs without taking a wicket, recording the most expensive figures by an Indian bowler on ODI debut. Such a first appearance can be a harsh introduction to international cricket, where batters are quick to punish loose deliveries and every over can shift the momentum of a match.

India retained Nabi for the final two ODIs against New Zealand before adding him to the squad for the full series after Prasidh Krishna was sidelined by injury. Nabi has since taken two wickets in his first three ODIs against New Zealand, with best figures of 2/31. Those early returns are modest, but they have given him valuable experience against an international batting line-up and in unfamiliar conditions.

“I back my skills,” says the Jammu and Kashmir pacer

Speaking ahead of the fourth ODI against New Zealand, Nabi addressed the discussion around his pace. He acknowledged that speed can help a fast bowler, but said he would not move away from the approach that brought him success in domestic cricket.

“Having pace is good, but I back my skills. I will do what I have been doing and what has brought me here. I will just do what I did in domestic cricket, and that will help me here too,” Nabi said, as quoted by the Times of India.

His response reflects a broader challenge for young international bowlers: adapting to a higher level without losing the qualities that made them effective. Pace is one tool, but control, variations, a reliable length and the ability to read a batter’s intentions can be equally important. For Nabi, the immediate task is to combine his domestic strengths with the discipline required to contain experienced ODI batters.

India may also value his potential contribution beyond the ball. Nabi is viewed as a pace-bowling option who could add batting depth lower down the order, potentially offering balance around No. 8. To make that role his own, however, he will need to demonstrate that he can deliver useful spells across different phases of an innings—not just produce occasional breakthroughs.

Learning to bowl in New Zealand conditions

The New Zealand tour has presented Nabi with a new test. It is his first visit to the country, where conditions can reward seam movement, accuracy and patience. Rather than relying solely on conventional swing, he said bowlers may need to make effective use of seam position and variation.

“It is my first time in New Zealand. You need to rely more on seam here. Use scrambled seam because swing can be dealt with,” he said.

That approach can be particularly useful on pitches that do not offer pronounced movement. A scrambled-seam delivery can create uncertainty after pitching, while disciplined lines make it harder for batters to score freely. Nabi also stressed that bowlers cannot assume a surface will do the work for them.

“You need to bowl well no matter how good or flat the pitches are. When wickets are good, you need to bowl with discipline because you can go for runs,” he added.

Preparation is also part of the adjustment. Nabi said he and fellow bowlers have been discussing plans for drop-in pitches, including conversations with Arshdeep Singh and Anshul Kamboj. Sharing ideas about lengths, seam use and field settings can help a relatively new international bowler develop a clearer plan before taking the field.

From red-ball hopes to an ODI opportunity

Nabi said he had expected a red-ball call-up to come before his chance in white-ball cricket. His reputation was built largely through domestic first-class performances, so a Test opportunity seemed like a natural next step. Instead, the ODI route has given him an early introduction to the demands of international cricket.

“I was expecting a red-ball call-up before white-ball cricket, but this experience will also be very helpful. And then also staying with the Test team,” he said.

Playing ODIs can still support his longer-term ambitions. The format requires bowlers to manage changing phases, defend totals, attack with the new ball and adjust when batters target them. Those lessons can strengthen a player’s overall game, even if his eventual hopes include Test cricket.

Nabi also spoke about the significance of representing India, describing the opportunity as a major personal achievement. He encouraged aspiring cricketers to focus on making the best use of the opportunities and facilities available to them, saying that consistent effort can help open doors.

What comes next for Auqib Nabi?

The early prediction for Nabi’s international future will depend less on his speed alone and more on how quickly he adapts. His first ODI was expensive, but one difficult performance does not define a career. His two wickets against New Zealand provide a starting point, while the remaining matches offer a chance to show greater control and confidence.

For India, Nabi represents a developing option rather than a finished product. If he can maintain disciplined lines, use seam intelligently and contribute with the bat, he could strengthen the team’s pace-bowling depth. The challenge is to translate his domestic success into repeatable international performances—while continuing to trust the skills that brought him to the national side.